The Contemporary Kisii Household: Gender Roles, Identity and Social Value in Everyday Life.

Introduction Household Background Information Household Background Information In Kisii households there is an ongoing competition for and control over scarce resources and struggles between genders over new roles and obligations. In Kisii households there is an ongoing competition for and control over scarce resources and struggles between genders over new roles and obligations. In this chapter Silberschmidt: In this chapter Silberschmidt: Explores what types of new social roles and new social value systems have emerged for men and women respectively. Explores what types of new social roles and new social value systems have emerged for men and women respectively. Examines how new social values interact with male and female identity and gender relations. Examines how new social values interact with male and female identity and gender relations.

The Roles of Men Tea Picking Tea Picking Night watchmen Night watchmen Local Contract Workers Local Contract Workers Seasonal Basis Seasonal Basis Government Employees Government Employees Artisans Artisans Matatu Drivers Matatu Drivers Construction of Homes Construction of Homes Wooden Frame and Thatching Wooden Frame and Thatching Farmers? Farmers? If you own land you are a farmer If you own land you are a farmer Men will sometimes clear land. Men will sometimes clear land. Women 54%, Men 38%, Children 8% Women 54%, Men 38%, Children 8%

The Roles of Women Increased significantly since colonial era Increased significantly since colonial era Farming Farming Smaller plots and same tools Land has to provide both home consumption and cash New types of maize can be harvested twice a year. Fetch water and firewood Fetch water and firewood Dry, shell, store, cook food Dry, shell, store, cook food Local market trading and selling Local market trading and selling This includes transport Purchase basic necessities Purchase basic necessities Sugar, salt, soap, and other

Resource Management and Control Men still own land and cattle Men still own land and cattle Only men have the right to sell the land Only men have the right to sell the land Irresponsible. Self vs. Household gain Irresponsible. Self vs. Household gain Women have potential power Women have potential power Control over production, reproduction and consumption Control over production, reproduction and consumption Men's absence give women control over: Men's absence give women control over: Land use, crop income, marketing Land use, crop income, marketing Women and coping strategies Women and coping strategies Middleman and Changaa Middleman and Changaa Women’s weapons Women’s weapons Withdrawal from direct labor and reproductive labor-producing activity. Withdrawal from direct labor and reproductive labor-producing activity.

Gendered Contributions to Household Both men and women agree that husbands should provide wives and children with: Both men and women agree that husbands should provide wives and children with: Proper clothing, health expenses, school uniforms, school books, school funds, not to mention school fees for secondary education. Proper clothing, health expenses, school uniforms, school books, school funds, not to mention school fees for secondary education. Agricultural implements and cattle. Agricultural implements and cattle. Women should provide: Women should provide: Food for the family Food for the family

Spousal Negotiations Men are the heads of households and decision makers Men are the heads of households and decision makers Complaining vs. Consulting Complaining vs. Consulting Women’s main reasons for quarreling include: Women’s main reasons for quarreling include: Economic neglect, lack of interest in children’s education and their laziness. Men’s main worries Men’s main worries Poisoning by kababa—#2 reason why women go to jail Neither spouse trusts the other Neither spouse trusts the other

Other Household Issues Alcohol consumption Alcohol consumption Men only, socially required, discuss problems, 2 reason for drinking Violence Against Women Violence Against Women Corrective behavior, socially accepted, increasing, 3 reasons for beatings Psychological disorders Psychological disorders Men- inadequate, incompetent, insecure, inferior, persecuted, and pressured Women- stress about making ends meet. INSTABILITY ALCOHOL PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS VIOLENCE

Conclusions Men’s domain and their social role have been drastically reduced, women’s domain, including their independence, has increased. Men’s domain and their social role have been drastically reduced, women’s domain, including their independence, has increased. In precolonial times, as head of the household, the man’s role was not directly linked to economic responsibility, though men had to secure women’s access to the means of production. During colonial times, the provider ideology emerged, and with it new obligations and new responsibilities for men. These new obligations were not assigned social value. In precolonial times, as head of the household, the man’s role was not directly linked to economic responsibility, though men had to secure women’s access to the means of production. During colonial times, the provider ideology emerged, and with it new obligations and new responsibilities for men. These new obligations were not assigned social value. The substantial change in the need for contributions to family support challenged the ideology of separate spheres and a majority of men were neither able nor prepared to deal with their responsibilities and obligations. The substantial change in the need for contributions to family support challenged the ideology of separate spheres and a majority of men were neither able nor prepared to deal with their responsibilities and obligations. Gusii msn’s command over resources has seriously diminished. So has their political might, their social relationships, etc. Their deference and respect due from their wives is questioned—and so is their control over women. Gusii msn’s command over resources has seriously diminished. So has their political might, their social relationships, etc. Their deference and respect due from their wives is questioned—and so is their control over women.

Bibliography Silberschmidt, Margarethe. “Women Forget that Men are the Masters”: Gender Antagonism and Socio-Economic Change in Kisii District, Kenya. Sweden: Elanders Gotab Silberschmidt, Margarethe. “Women Forget that Men are the Masters”: Gender Antagonism and Socio-Economic Change in Kisii District, Kenya. Sweden: Elanders Gotab